WiMAX auction to resume at EUR1 million

The National Authority for Communications (ANC) is proposing to re-open the auction for two 3.6GHz WiMAX licences following its failure to attract any bids from its previous offering, as reported by CommsUpdate on 9 February. The earlier tender set an asking price of EUR7.5 million (USD9.44 million), which was too high for the six parties that had made preliminary applications. The new competitive auction will have a starting price of EUR1 million which is equal to the lowest price paid for a licence by Romtelecom last year. ANC president Liviu Nistoran said it will be an open auction, in which what matters is the price. Technical conditions imposed will be minimal. According to Nistoran, the new way of awarding licences presents a risk of very low use WiMAX technology, but offers an opportunity for national coverage, especially in urban areas, where there is a greater demand. The six companies that bought Terms of Reference for the inital tender were: Asesoft International, Comcore Management, Cosmote Romanian Mobile Telecommunications, Media Sat, RCS&RDS and Vodafone Romania. Nistoran said he expected more parties to come forward for the new auction now the price had been reduced.